Archive · 27 Jul 2026
Kharif sowing gap narrows easing inflation worries
The recent improvement in monsoon rainfall has helped increase the sowing of kharif crops like rice, pulses, and oilseeds.
This has reduced worries about rising food prices, which had been high due to higher fuel and food costs.
However, some crops like pulses and coarse cereals are still lagging because of uneven rainfall.
The overall monsoon deficit has improved but remains in the 'deficient' range.
Experts are hopeful but cautious about the impact on crop yields, especially for long-duration crops like tur.
Kharif sowing has improved significantly due to better rainfall in July, reducing the gap from last year.
Overall kharif sown area is still down by 4.7% year-on-year, with regional disparities.
Rice sowing has improved but remains 2.57% below last year's level.
Pulses and coarse cereals continue to lag due to uneven rainfall distribution.
The overall monsoon deficit has improved to 16% but remains in the 'deficient' range.
- Who
- Agriculture ministry, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Nitin Kalantri, M K Dhanuka
- What
- Kharif sowing progress and its impact on inflation
- When
- July 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To assess the impact of monsoon rainfall on kharif sowing and inflation
Optimistic View
Cautious View
Crop Sowing Progress
Optimistic View
The significant improvement in rainfall has boosted kharif sowing, reducing the gap from last year.
Cautious View
Despite the improvement, the overall kharif sown area is still down by 4.7% year-on-year, indicating regional disparities.
Inflation Impact
Optimistic View
The increase in kharif sowing has allayed fears of a major flare-up in food prices.
Cautious View
Inflation remains a concern due to imported inflation from high crude oil prices and potential yield impacts from uneven rainfall distribution.
Pulse Crop Yield
Optimistic View
The current sowing of pulses may not be significantly impacted, and the focus is on the distribution of rainfall in August and September.
Cautious View
The delayed monsoon and uneven rainfall distribution could negatively affect the yield of long-duration crops like tur.
- Overall Kharif Sown Area
- 78.73 million hectares (4.7% decline year-on-year)
- Rice Sown Area
- 23.44 million hectares (2.57% decline year-on-year)
- Pulses Sown Area
- 8.45 million hectares (6.9% decline year-on-year)
- Tur Sown Area
- 3.11 million hectares (11% decline year-on-year)
- Cotton Acreage
- 9.87 million hectares (3.88% decline year-on-year)
- Oilseeds Area
- 3.45% decline year-on-year
- Coarse Cereals Area
- 12% decline year-on-year
- Overall Monsoon Deficit
- 16% (down from nearly 40% at the end of June)
- Cumulative Rainfall
- 342.5 mm (against LPA of 408.9 mm, still in the 'deficient' range)
